The Nightmare before Nutcracker
2025-10-23 19:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | The Landing, 251 B Kings Village Rd, Scotts Valley, CA
The Nightmare before Nutcracker
Thursday, October 23, 7pm; Friday, October 24, 7pm; Saturday, October 25, 1pm & 4:30pm
Spine-Tingling Magic Unleashed: The Nightmare before Nutcracker premieres the Weekend before Halloween!
A Halloween Weekend Happening! Come dressed in costume and experience our haunted lobby with spooky treats, games, and contests. This will be nothing like the Nutcracker so BEWARE! What will become of the Land of Sweets if the Rat Queen wins the epic battle with the Nutcracker. Original dances in multiple genres of dance including ballet, tap, lyrical, jazz, and hip-hop – a poetic story, and monumental FUN! Recommended for ages 8+.
Get ready to be mesmerized and thrilled. International Academy of Dance, home of Santa Cruz City Ballet, presents a frightening twist on the holiday classic. A new family friendly Halloween tradition sure to delight audiences of all ages.
What if the Rats Win?
What if instead of having a wonderful dream, where the Nutcracker Prince always comes out victorious, and then Clara is whisked away to the lands of sweets—what if the rats win? The Nightmare Before Nutcracker poses these questions. With both spookiness and silliness, this Halloween performance isn’t one to be missed!
On the eve of Christmas Eve, Clara finds herself in a wild nightmare of ghoulish proportions and welcomes you to join her! The Land of Sweets turns sour and fears unravel under a growing pumpkin moon. What happens if the Rat Queen wins? Will there be a zombie apocalypse?
Come in costume and kick off your Nutcracker season in style. A Halloween experience! Nightmare Before Nutcracker isn’t what you might expect from a ballet, featuring multiple forms of dance including lyrical, hip-hop, tap, and of course ballet. This original story is told through poetry and verse with a unique compilation of music, frightful costumes and haunting choreography sure to send shivers down your spine.
Performance Dates and Tickets Information:

Venue: The Landing (Previously known as Scotts Valley Performing Arts Center) – 251b Kings Village Road, Scotts Valley CA 95066
Buy Tickets Here
Recommended for ages 8+
Costume Contest!
